|
The LA Creative Pro User Group began in June, 2000. Founded by members of the 2.pop community and headed by Mike Horton, it has met monthly for the last 25 years. I wandered into a meeting in 2002 and have had the pleasure of attending and presenting to the group many times since.
It is impossible to overstate the impact Mike and his team have had on the world-wide user community over the years; first for Final Cut, then expanding to all creative video apps. It was the place to come to learn what's new, what works, what doesn't, meet old friends and make new ones. It was an online and in-person community. It was amazing.
But the world moves on. User groups, which used to be dominant in the creative community, have been replaced by online forums. Most user groups have closed due to lack of interest. Meeting people and learning face-to-face isn't as convenient as tuning in online, but something is lost in that digital connection.
Mike is closing the group after the June meeting. Attendance has fallen and running a monthly user group takes a LOT of work. I won't be able to attend the final session, which is why I am so proud to be invited to present at this one.
I've know Mike Horton for 25 years and worked with him every week on the live Digital Production Buzz podcast for twelve. I have never known anyone more committed to empowering editors to succeed. The ending of LACPUG is the end of an era. It has been the honor of a lifetime to have worked with Mike, Philip, Greg, Dean and the entire crew over these many years. Some are still with us, many others are not. I send them all my best wishes as they look for something new to do on the fourth Wednesday of every month.
LACPUG will be missed; as will its "World Famous Raffle!™" and its special prize of an Automatic Duck bottle opener.
| 
